about Me

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

WITH GRATITUDE

I already posted these pics on Facebook, but on this beautiful Thanksgiving Eve I'm just sitting here thinking about all that I have for which to be grateful, and I wanted to post them again here on the blog...they were taken last Sunday at our METRON Community Thanksgiving event while Ken was talking about what he is most thankful for...as you can see, it was a very emotional moment...I didn't know that Bill, from our tech team, was taking them, but I'm glad that he did, because I think they capture a lot truth and feeling in them...

Tomorrow we're having Thanksgiving at Debye's house...she and Lucien are doing the cooking, and Ken is making a couple of things that we'll bring with us...her parents and my parents will be there...Ken's dad is doing Thanksgiving with his lady friend, and his boys are eating at their other grandparents' house...I think Jared will be with us tomorrow...Christina is flying in from Key West, so we're hoping she makes it in time before they have to go to her mom's house...Jonah is touring in Europe, and the band just finished up in the Netherlands and landed in London today for a gig there tonight, so he'll miss it...Judah, who blew me away with his performance last night on the local Christian TV station, will definitely be there...I'm sure it will be a wonderful day...

When I count my blessings tomorrow, I will remember to be thankful for my kids and my precious granddaughters and all the beautiful people at METRON who have stayed with me through every transition...I will be thankful to live in the USA, even with all of its problems, and will be grateful in faith for a peaceful day in our country...I will be thankful that I still have my parents with me for another Holiday Season, and that they are doing well...I will be thankful for my health, and for the fact that our Modern Family will be happily together tomorrow...but I will be especially grateful for the man in my life...I never take for granted that I found someone like Ken, even though I came out quite late in the journey...I am grateful that tomorrow I will be my authentic self, with nothing to hide, nothing to fear, nothing to dread, and nothing to regret...I am grateful for all the love in my life...I am grateful for every single thing that I have...

Even before I met you, even before I became a part of CITN, I knew that you were a special person. I heard words come out of your mouth that I thought would NEVER be said from a pulpit. I knew at that moment, I had found my 'church home'. I've never regretted it EVER. I am now learning to live in love and gratitude and it feels good! The only thing I have ever wished for you was happiness. I've watched you go through some difficult times and some awesome times and maybe because we're both '58 babies, there's some kind of connection - what I'm feeling, you always seem to speak to it. Your decision to move in another direction didn't surprise me! Not at all. Why? Because I was/am doing the same thing. I have been very good and successful at what I was trained to do and I still love it but it's just time to do something "more"..........something more magnificent! Once again, you lead by example! I am so grateful for your presence in my life! Oh! And Ken? I absolutely cried for joy when I saw the love between the two of you. Those of us who love you are all some how managing to be in very strange places right now (nothing bad but definitely out of our usual comfort zone)......... But we are NOT afraid! I finally understand the sermon you did on going from 'glory to glory'! Like you said...... When God brings you through one crisis, we say "whew"............. But God saids "That was awesome! Let's do another one!" LOL I'm learning to trust and it just gets better and better!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I will do the same!! {{Stepping down off my soap box now.}}

MEGACHURCH FOUNDER/PASTOR - CHURCH IN THE NOW ("Real People Experiencing the Real God in the Real World") 1985-2014

BISHOP - served 12 years on College of Bishops of the International Communion of Charismatic Churches - now serves on College of Bishops of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries - planted churches & provided oversight/covering to multiple ministries throughout the U.S., Philippines, & Uganda

AUTHOR - 16 books to date, including popular devotional 'A Year In the Now', (currently in 4th printing), 'School of the Bible, Volumes I-V', 'The Gospels In The Now', modern translation of all 4 Gospels which will eventually include entire NT, & groundbreaking 'FIRST THE GOOD NEWS: The Positive Truth About God, the Gospel, and What it Really Means to be Gay"

MUSICIAN, SINGER/SONGWRITER - produced & recorded multiple projects, including 'Washed by the Word', 'Washed by the Word AM & PM', & 'Washed by the Word for Kids"

ASCAP MEMBER - wrote 'It's the Anointing', recorded by Candi Staton, & many other well-known artists